Foldable articulated arm

ABSTRACT

A foldable articulated arm including at least a first rod and a second rod connected together, each of which is configured for connection to the stem of a parasol, at least a third rod, connected to the second rod, and a fourth rod connected to the third rod; a first flexible element which connects the first rod with the third rod and a second flexible element which connects the fourth rod with the second rod; the first, second, third and fourth rods and the first and second flexible elements are a single piece; in particular, the second flexible element includes a first portion slidably constrained to the second rod and a second portion slidably constrained to the third rod.

TECHNICAL FIELD

This invention relates to a foldable articulated arm, in particular for opening and closing the sheet of a parasol.

BACKGROUND ART

With reference to the technical sector of parasols, over recent years the market has been directed towards solutions of articulated arms made as a single piece, as they are more practical and economic solutions compared with the prior art solutions which involve the use of more articulated segments articulated to each other using rivets.

A prior art solution of the articulated arm made as single piece, preferably by means of plastic material, comprises four rods connected together in succession of which at least two are configured to be associated with the stem of a parasol.

Two flexible elements are also provided, each of which connects together respective rods for articulating the arm in the operations for opening and closing the sheet of the parasol.

More specifically, one of the two flexible elements is hinged by a respective line of weakness to one of the respective rods which it connects.

The line of weakness defines a rigid constraint of the arm which causes the twisting of the rods connected thereto following various overturning of the sheet of the parasol, caused, for example, by gusts of wind, to the flexible element hinged, causing the failure.

DISCLOSURE OF THE INVENTION

In this context, one aspect of this invention is that of providing a foldable articulated arm which comprises at least a first rod and a second rod connected together, each of which is configured for connection to the stem of a parasol, at least a third rod, connected to the second rod, and a fourth rod connected to the third rod; a first flexible element which connects the first rod with the third rod and a second flexible element which connects the fourth rod with the second rod; the first, second, third and fourth rods and the first and second flexible elements are a single piece; in particular, the second flexible element comprises a first portion slidably constrained to the second rod and a second portion slidably constrained to the third rod.

Advantageously, the first portion of the second flexible element slidably constrained to the rod prevents the twisting of the third and fourth rods following tipping of the sheet of the parasol and the consequent breaking of the flexible element.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF DRAWINGS

Further features and advantages of the invention are more apparent from the non-limiting description which follows of a preferred embodiment of a foldable articulated arm as illustrated in the accompanying drawings, in which:

FIG. 1 is a schematic plan view of a foldable articulated arm according to the invention in an open configuration;

FIG. 2 is a schematic side view of the foldable articulated arm of FIG. 1 connected to a rod of a parasol in a closed configuration;

FIG. 3 is a schematic perspective view of a parasol comprising a plurality of foldable articulated arms according to this invention in their open configuration;

FIG. 4 is a schematic, scaled-up perspective view of a detail of FIG. 3.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF PREFERRED EMBODIMENTS OF THE INVENTION

With reference to the accompanying drawings, the numeral 1 denotes a foldable articulated arm according to the invention.

With particular reference to FIGS. 2 and 3, the foldable articulated arm 1 passes from a closed position, corresponding to the closed position of the sheet 7 of the parasol 5, to an open position, corresponding to the open position of the sheet 7 of the parasol 5, and vice versa.

The articulated arm 1 comprises at least a first rod 2 and a second rod 3 connected together, each of which is configured to be associated to the stem 4 of a parasol 5.

The parasol 5 according to this specification is preferably of the telescopic type comprising a plurality of elements slidably connected to each other to define the extension of the stem 4 from a configuration of minimum extension or closed to a position of maximum extension or open of the stem 4, and vice versa.

The first rod 2 is configured to be connected to an element 6, slidable along the stem 4, for controlling the opening and closing of the sheet 7 of the parasol 5.

More specifically, the first rod 2 has a respective end 2a designed to be associated with the stem 4 of the parasol 5, in particular designed to be connected to the control element 6.

The first rod 2 is connected to the second rod 3 by a respective end 2 b, in particular opposite the end 2 a.

More specifically, the first rod 2 is connected to the second rod 3 by a respective hinge 9 which allows the relative rotation of the first rod 2 relative to the second rod 3, in particular from the closed position to the open position of the foldable arm 1.

The hinge 9 for connecting the first and second rod 2 and 3 allows the relative rotation of the second rod 3 relative to the first rod 2, in particular from the open position to the closed position of the foldable arm 1.

The second rod 3 is configured to be connected to the end portion or head 8 of the stem 4 of the parasol 5.

More specifically, the second rod 3 has a respective end 3 a designed to be associated with the stem 4 of the parasol 5, in particular to be connected to the end portion or head 8 of the stem 4 of the parasol 5.

According to the invention, the end 3 a of the second rod 3 is in the form of pin 10, which is free to rotate about a respective axis of rotation 10 a between two end positions.

The rotation of the pin 10 occurs during the relative rotation of the first rod 2 relative to the second rod 3, in particular from the closed position to the open position of the foldable arm 1.

The rotation of the pin 10 occurs during the relative rotation of the second rod 3 relative to the first rod 2, in particular from the open position to the closed position of the foldable arm 1.

Advantageously, the rotation of the pin 10 about its axis 10 a prevents any localised yielding of the end 3 a of the second rod 3 connected to the end portion or head 8 of the stem 4 of the parasol 5, to pass from the closed position to the open position, and vice versa, of the foldable arm 1.

In this regard, the end portion or head 8 of the stem 4 of the parasol 5 has a plurality of seats 23, each of which is designed to house and retain a respective pin 10.

The pin 10 is free to rotate in the respective seat 23 about its own axis of rotation 10 a, in particular between the two end positions.

More specifically, the end portions of the pin 10 make contact with the respective portions of the housing and retaining seat 23.

According to this invention, the end 3 a of the second rod 3 comprises respective contact means 22 of the end 3 a configured to come into contact with the end portion or head 8 of the stem 4 of the parasol 5 following the rotation of the first rod 2 relative to the second rod 3, in particular during the passage from the closed position to the open position of the foldable arm 1, and vice versa, as illustrated in FIG. 4.

Advantageously, once the arm 1 is positioned in the open position, the contact means 22 prevent a further rotation or tipping the second rod 3 about the axis of rotation 10 a of the pin 10, for example following a gust of wind.

The contact means 22 are preferably in the form of a flap or shaped crest.

The end portion or top 8 of the stem 4 of the parasol 5 has a plurality of seat 24 each of which at least partly engages with respective contact means 22 of the end 3 a of the second rod 3, in the open position of the foldable arm 1.

Preferably, the seat 24 for engaging the respective contact means 22 is positioned at a respective seat 23 for housing and retaining a respective pin 10.

More specifically, the seat 23 for housing and retaining a respective pin 10 and the seat 24 for engaging at least part of the respective contact means 22 are in communication with each other.

The second rod 3 is connected to the third rod 11 by a respective end 3 b, opposite the end 3 a connected to the stem 4 of the parasol 5.

More precisely, the second rod 3 is connected to the third rod 11 by a respective hinge 12 which allows the relative rotation of the third rod 11 relative to the second rod 3, in particular from the closed position to the open position of the foldable arm 1, and vice versa.

The hinge 12 is positioned close to one of the ends 3 a of the second rod 3.

The hinge 12 is positioned close to one of the ends 11 a of the third rod 11.

A first flexible element 13 connects the first rod 2 with the third rod 11.

The first flexible element 13 has a first end 13 a is connected to the first rod 2, in particular the first end 13 a is hinged to the first rod 2 by a respective hinge 14.

The first flexible element 13 has a second end 13 b connected to the third rod 11, in particular in the proximity of one of the ends 11 a of the third rod 11.

The first flexible element 13 makes possible the relative rotation of the third rod 11 relative to the second rod 3, using the portion of the flexible element 13 positioned close to its end 13 b for connection to the third rod 11, following the relative rotation of the first rod 2 relative to the second link 3, in particular during the passage from the closed position to the open position of the foldable arm 1, and vice versa.

The foldable arm 1 comprises a fourth rod 15 connected to the third rod 11.

The third rod 11 is connected to the fourth rod 15 by a respective end 11 b, opposite the end 11 a connected to the second rod 3.

More precisely, the third rod 11 is connected to the fourth rod 15 by a respective hinge 16 which allows the relative rotation of the fourth rod 15 relative to the third rod 11, in particular from the closed position to the open position of the foldable arm 1, and vice versa.

The hinge 16 is positioned close to one of the ends 15 a of the fourth rod 15.

The fourth rod 15 has an end 15 b configured to be connected with the sheet 7 of the parasol 5, in particular opposite the end 15 a connected to the third rod 11.

A second flexible element 17 connects the fourth rod 15 with the second rod 3.

The second flexible element 17 is connected to the fourth rod 15 by a respective hinge 18, as shown in FIG. 1.

The second flexible element 17 makes possible the relative rotation of the fourth rod 15 relative to the third rod 11, in particular about the hinge 18, following the relative rotation of the first rod 2 relative to the second rod 3, in particular during the passage from the closed position to the open position, and vice versa, of the foldable arm 1.

It should be noted that the first, second, third and fourth rods 2, 3, 11 and 15 and the first and second flexible elements 13 and 17 are made as a single piece.

Preferably, the first, second, third fourth rods 2, 3, 11 and 15 and the first and second flexible element 13 and 17 are made as single piece of plastic material.

According to the invention, the second flexible element 17 has a first portion 19 slidably constrained to the second rod 3 and a second portion 20 slidably constrained to the third rod 11.

Preferably, the first portion 19 is connected to the second rod 3 by a ‘snap-fit’ type connection.

Preferably, the second portion 20 is connected to the third rod 11 by a ‘snap-fit’ type connection.

The second flexible element 17 has a respective line of weakness 21 connecting the first portion 19 with the second portion 20.

The first portion 19 of the second flexible element 17 is connected to the second rod 3 close to the connection end with the third rod 11.

During the opening and closing operations of the foldable arm 1, following the relative rotation of the third rod 11 relative to the second rod 3 and/or of the fourth rod 15 relative to the third rod 11, the second portion 20 of the second flexible element 17 runs along the third rod 11 and, simultaneously, the first portion 19 of the second flexible element 17 is configured to remain at one of the two end positions.

The sliding of the second portion 20 of the second flexible element 17 along the third rod 11 occurs during the opening and closing of the foldable arm 1 following the rotation of the first rod 2 relative to the second rod 3.

According to the invention, the first portion 19 of the second flexible element 17 is configured to pass from a first to a second end position following a relative rotation of the fourth rod 15 relative to the third rod 11, a rotation which occurs when the foldable articulated arm 1 is arranged in its open position.

This rotation causes a rotation or tipping the fourth rod 15 towards the third rod 11 with the opposite direction with respect to the relative rotation of the fourth rod 15 by which the foldable articulated arm 1 passes from its open position to the closed position.

Advantageously, if the foldable arm 1 is positioned at the open position and the fourth rod 15 to rotated relative to the third rod 11, in the opposite direction relative to the relative rotation of the fourth rod 15 through which the foldable articulated arm 1 passes from its open position to the closed position, the movement of the first portion 19 of the second flexible element 17 relative to the second link 3 avoids the twisting of the third and fourth rods 11 and 15 and a consequent breakage of the coupling point of the second flexible element 17 to the second rod 3. 

1. A foldable articulated arm comprising at least a first rod and a second rod connected together, each of which is configured for connection to the stem of a parasol, at least a third rod, connected to the second rod, and a fourth rod connected to the third rod; a first flexible element connects the first rod with the third rod and a second flexible element connects the fourth rod with the second rod; the first, second, third and fourth rods and the first and second flexible elements being a single piece; the articulated arm is characterised in that the second flexible element comprises a first portion slidably constrained to the second rod and a second portion slidably constrained to the third rod.
 2. The arm according to independent claim 1, wherein the first portion of the second flexible element is configured to pass from a first to a second end position following a relative rotation of the fourth rod relative to the third rod, a rotation which occurs when the foldable articulated arm is arranged in its open position.
 3. The arm according to independent claim 1, wherein during the opening and closing operations of the foldable arm, following a relative rotation of the third rod relative to the second rod and/or of the fourth rod relative to the third rod, the second portion of the second flexible element runs along the third rod from a first to a second end position, and vice versa, and, simultaneously, the first portion of the second flexible element is configured to remain at one of the two end positions.
 4. The arm according to claim 1, wherein the second flexible element has a respective line of weakness connecting the first portion with the second portion.
 5. The arm according to claim 1, wherein the first portion of the second flexible element is connected to the second rod in the proximity of the connection end of the second rod with the third rod.
 6. The arm according to claim 1, wherein one of the ends of the second rod comprises a pin free to rotate about a respective axis of rotation during the relative rotation of the first rod relative to the second rod.
 7. The arm according to claim 6, wherein the end of the second rod comprises contact means configured to come into contact with end portion or head of the stem of the parasol following the relative rotation of the first rod relative to the second rod, in particular during the passage from the closed position to the open position of the foldable arm.
 8. A parasol wherein it comprises a plurality of foldable articulated arms, according to claim 1, configured to open and close a same sheet; the closed position of the foldable arm corresponds to the closed position of the sheet of the parasol and the open position of the foldable arm corresponds to the open position of the sheet of the parasol.
 9. The parasol according to claim 8, wherein the second rod has a respective end designed to be associated with the stem of the parasol, in particular to be connected to the end portion or head of the stem of the parasol.
 10. The parasol according to claim 8, wherein the first rod is configured to be connected to an element, slidable along the stem, for controlling the opening and closing of the sheet of the parasol.
 11. The parasol according to claim 8, wherein the end portion or head of the stem of the parasol has a plurality of seats for housing and retaining a respective pin; each seat is designed to house and retain a respective pin in which it is free to rotate about a respective axis of rotation, in particular between two end positions corresponding to the closed position and to the open position of the foldable arm.
 12. The parasol according to claim 8, wherein the end portion or head of the stem of the parasol has a plurality of seats each of which engages at least partly with respective contact means of the end of the second rod, in the open position of the foldable arm. 